BEVERLY HILLS, December 20, (THEWILL) – President Muhammadu Buhari met behind closed doors with the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
THEWILL gathered that the duo discussed the controversies surrounding the Senate’s rejection of Ibrahim Magu as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the lawmakers’ call on Buhari to sack and prosecute the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal.
The Senate had accused Lawal of corruption in the award of contracts at the Presidential Initiative on North East (PINE) and declined confirmation of Magu on a security report from Department of State Security (DSS), which indicted Magu of financial misconducts saying he would constitute a liability to the anti-corruption fight of the Buhari administration if confirmed head of the EFCC.
At the end of the meeting, which lasted about 30 minutes, Buhari and Saraki proceeded to the mosque for prayers.
Meanwhile, as Saraki was making his way out, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Ita Enang, arrived the Presidential Villa to also meet with the President.
THEWILL recalls that the Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, had on Monday met with Buhari on the same matter.
Also, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, met behind closed-doors with President Buhari on Monday on the same matter.
Malami had been instructed by the President to investigate the involvement of all top government officials accused of any wrongdoing.
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the president, Garba Shehu said any of the top officials accused of corruption will not escape prosecution if found liable because President Buhari remains relentless in his fight against corruption.
“The attention of the Presidency has been drawn to a number of reports in the media, in which various accusations of corruption have been levelled against some top officials in the administration, he said
“In that regard, President Buhari has instructed the Attorney General of the Federation to investigate the involvement of any top government officials accused of any wrong-doing. If any of them are liable they will not escape prosecution.”
Story by Oputah David
